Monday, February 20, 2023

Sardis: The Spiritually Dead Church

“I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before [b]God. 3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. 4 [c]You have a few names [d]even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. 5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. 6 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ Revelation 3:1-6

Sardis was the ancient capital of the Lydian kingdom. It was situated on top of a plateau and below it flowed a river. The area was the object of several attacks from other “peoples” and from natural disaster.

Many of us know Sardis as the “dead church.” In fact, the word “Sardis” means “that which remains.” Bible scholars note that Sardis was a lifeless church. It had a reputation as a Christian assembly, but most of the people there simply went through a routine. “It didn’t overflow with spiritual life. It didn’t sparkle with the supernatural. God called Sardis to a new zeal; he called it to revival. He wanted it to strengthen that which remained because the church was on the verge of dying. There were a few people in Sardis who had not defiled their clothes. They were promised a reward. People had often started projects for God but had never brought them to completion. God called them to repent of their lifelessness. Unless Sardis woke up, He was going to deal with them in judgment.

Questions: Are you going through the motions of practicing your faith? Can you be characterized as the living dead? How can you avoid becoming the living dead? God knows!

PRAYER: Father, thank you for the lessons you outlined in the letter to Sardis. I never want to be characterized as being a “dead church” or lifeless when comes to your kingdom. Help me never to get stuck in a routine. I want my Christian walk to be full of life. I want it to shine. In the name of Jesus, I pray and give thanks. Amen